HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

socalkevin68 · 06-13-2010, 12:26 AM

Thanks to you guys and reccomending a skip white hei...I ordered one up and got it Friday..
Install went smooth as I ready every post here pertaining to the swap...Piece of cake....
Got some new 8mm hei wires and gapped my new plugs to ..45..
FIRED UP FIRST TRY AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A NEW ENGINE..
I cannot believe how smooth she runs now and the throttle response is unbelievable....My new flowmasters have a completely diff (much better) sound.
This is by far the best upgrade I've made and the best part..only about 100 total!

If anyone is thinking of the swap..just do it..you'll be glad you did.

Next project...get the a/c working..(everythings there but have no clue where to start)

72Levi · 06-13-2010, 12:54 AM

Yes, I've said it all along, best upgrade I ever did to mine, like night and day.

woodwright · 06-13-2010, 12:57 AM

Mine didn't change much, but I need to replace the spark plugs and wires, and my carb is shot.

Longbow · 06-13-2010, 01:05 AM

That's the first thing I did to mine when I got it. I had one that I re-curved for my 383 that I built.... it's close but it still gotta run my timing lower than i'd like.

beebster · 06-13-2010, 03:09 AM

First thing i did was adjust the distributor til it was just right, then adjusted the carb (was too lean) and that thing (71 longhorn) ran like brand new!
defintely the BEST upgrade i ever did.

the worst upgrade? headers !
So many headaches since i added the headers. Never again.

Shyguy · 06-13-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beebster

First thing i did was adjust the distributor til it was just right, then adjusted the carb (was too lean) and that thing (71 longhorn) ran like brand new!
defintely the BEST upgrade i ever did.

the worst upgrade? headers !
So many headaches since i added the headers. Never again.

Yep, I agree with ther header part being nothing but headaches.
Unfortunately I will have to live with mine for now, until I get the ambition to unbolt the engine and lift it way up while having the truck way off the ground to remove them.

It seems a good deal on headers sometimes is more trouble than they are worth.

My son swears by headers, but since I went with a stock 454 I am not sure they were an advantage.

Danny

geezer#99 · 06-13-2010, 09:42 AM

You don't need to lift the motor up and get the truck way up in the air if you're gonna toss those headers in the trash. Cut them out with an angle grinder or a hacksaw. I've done it.

junkyardjohn · 06-13-2010, 09:45 AM

YEA... IT'S AMAZING WHAT A SIMPLE THING LIKE AN HEI WILL DO TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE & ALL AROUND DRIVEABUILITY OF THESE OLD TRUCKS. SHOOT I EVEN GET ON AVERAGE AT LEAST 1 MILE TO GALLON INCREASE IN GAS MILLIAGE (THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH, BUT IT'S AT LEAST 10%

) IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU CAN DO SUCH A SIMPLE UPGRADE THAT TAKES LESS THAN AN HOUR, & COSTS LESS THE $100 ON ANY ENGINE. HEADERS ARE A PITA, BUT SINCE I STARTED USING "STAGE-8" LOCKING BOLTS (AROUND $35 OR $40) THE HEADERS NEVER COME LOOSE & BLOW THE GASKET ANY MORE, & THAT WAS ALWAYS MY BIGGEST B!TCH WITH THEM. I LOVE LOW-BUCK AN LOW-LABOUR UPGRADES THAT YOU CAN NOTICE. CONGRATULATIONS.

JOHN

06-13-2010, 12:26 AM	#1
socalkevin68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ridgecrest, CA. Posts: 193	HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... Thanks to you guys and reccomending a skip white hei...I ordered one up and got it Friday.. Install went smooth as I ready every post here pertaining to the swap...Piece of cake.... Got some new 8mm hei wires and gapped my new plugs to ..45.. FIRED UP FIRST TRY AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A NEW ENGINE.. I cannot believe how smooth she runs now and the throttle response is unbelievable....My new flowmasters have a completely diff (much better) sound. This is by far the best upgrade I've made and the best part..only about 100 total! If anyone is thinking of the swap..just do it..you'll be glad you did. Next project...get the a/c working..(everythings there but have no clue where to start)

06-13-2010, 12:54 AM	#2
72Levi Active Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: sa tx Posts: 851	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... Yes, I've said it all along, best upgrade I ever did to mine, like night and day. __________________ 1972 K5 Blazer ALL ORIGINAL paint & engine, A/C, Tilt, 4sp, AM/FM, Tow Hooks, Aux Battery Tray, Tach, Vacuum 2004 FORD FX4 SuperCrew 2005 CTS-V 12 sec family car 2008 Buick Enclave AWD, Nav, & DVD, Wife LOVES it!

06-13-2010, 12:57 AM	#3
woodwright Enjoying left field Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dillon Montana Posts: 900	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... Mine didn't change much, but I need to replace the spark plugs and wires, and my carb is shot. __________________ Clint 70 Chevy 4WD "Ultimate Work Truck" SOLD

06-13-2010, 01:05 AM	#4
Longbow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Pecos Co. Texas Posts: 3	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... That's the first thing I did to mine when I got it. I had one that I re-curved for my 383 that I built.... it's close but it still gotta run my timing lower than i'd like.

06-13-2010, 03:09 AM	#5
beebster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Aurora,Il ..born,raised and still live in the same house Posts: 286	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... First thing i did was adjust the distributor til it was just right, then adjusted the carb (was too lean) and that thing (71 longhorn) ran like brand new! defintely the BEST upgrade i ever did. the worst upgrade? headers ! So many headaches since i added the headers. Never again. __________________ I love stock! Not really into the whole bagged, squished,chopped, drooped,cut, bent,lifted,twisted,split,decked,massaged,tubbed,jacked trend. (o.k. slightly lowered is fine) For the love of god, just drive it before you forget what the truck is supposed to look like !....LOL

06-13-2010, 09:42 AM	#7
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,542	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... You don't need to lift the motor up and get the truck way up in the air if you're gonna toss those headers in the trash. Cut them out with an angle grinder or a hacksaw. I've done it.

06-13-2010, 09:45 AM	#8
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: HEI Install "WOW"...wy'd I wait so long.... YEA... IT'S AMAZING WHAT A SIMPLE THING LIKE AN HEI WILL DO TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE & ALL AROUND DRIVEABUILITY OF THESE OLD TRUCKS. SHOOT I EVEN GET ON AVERAGE AT LEAST 1 MILE TO GALLON INCREASE IN GAS MILLIAGE (THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH, BUT IT'S AT LEAST 10% ) IT'S AMAZING THAT YOU CAN DO SUCH A SIMPLE UPGRADE THAT TAKES LESS THAN AN HOUR, & COSTS LESS THE $100 ON ANY ENGINE. HEADERS ARE A PITA, BUT SINCE I STARTED USING "STAGE-8" LOCKING BOLTS (AROUND $35 OR $40) THE HEADERS NEVER COME LOOSE & BLOW THE GASKET ANY MORE, & THAT WAS ALWAYS MY BIGGEST B!TCH WITH THEM. I LOVE LOW-BUCK AN LOW-LABOUR UPGRADES THAT YOU CAN NOTICE. CONGRATULATIONS. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST



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